Line set box for protecting refrigerant lines and method of use thereof

ABSTRACT

A line set box, and a method of use thereof, comprising a generally rigid conduit box panel having a removable front cover, wherein the box panel has knockouts and insertable sealing grommets enabling sealed passage of conduits from inside a structure to outside the structure. Thus, the conduit box functions to house and protect end portions of refrigerant lines, drain lines, and/or control lines of an air-conditioning system during construction of a building until the refrigerant lines and the control lines are connected to a compressor of the air-conditioning system located outside the building.

PRIORITY CLAIM TO RELATED US APPLICATIONS

To the full extent permitted by law, the present United StatesNon-Provisional patent application claims priority to and the fullbenefit of United States Provisional patent application entitled “LineSet Box for Protecting Refrigerant Lines and Method of Use Thereof”,filed on Dec. 20, 2007, having assigned Ser. No. 61/008,373,incorporated entirely herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present line set box relates generally to devices for structures,and more specifically a line set box for protecting heating,ventilation, and air-conditioning refrigerant lines during construction.

BACKGROUND

Modern heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems controlthe temperature, humidity, and movement of indoor air in residential andcommercial buildings. Central air conditioners are typically used forlarger residential buildings and commercial buildings, verseswindow-mounted units which are used to heat and/or cool individual roomsor apartments within a building. A central air conditioner offers a moreefficient way to cool such larger indoor spaces, or zones of space byproviding controlled flow of cooled/heated air through air ducts of aconventional forced-air heating/cooling system. Such a system cools theindoor air during conditions of warm outside temperatures and heats theindoor air during conditions of cold outdoor air temperatures tomaintain a desired indoor air temperature.

As is known, central air conditioners include a compressor, typicallyinstalled outside the residential house or commercial building, and acondenser, typically located inside the building or residence, making upa conventional forced air heating and ventilation system. Typically, thecompressor of the central air conditioner is placed on a concrete padlocated outside the residential house or commercial building. Thecompressor is connected to the condenser located inside the house by anumber of air-conditioning lines/conduits, which extend through asection of an exterior wall of the house or commercial building and runthrough the internal walls, floors and attic to the condenser. Morespecifically, two refrigerant lines (typically copper lines forsupplying/returning a refrigerant gas), a drain line (for drainage ofcondensation collected under the condenser) and a control line(electrical line for selectively activating the compressor and fan ofthe air-conditioning system) extend between the outside-locatedcompressor and the inside-located condenser of the forced-air heatingand cooling system.

As specifically illustrated in FIG. 1, hole 10 is cut in exterior wall12 leading to the inside of the house or building and is typicallyutilized in the prior art for allowing refrigerant lines 14, drain line15, and control line 16 through exterior wall 12 of residential house orcommercial building 18. By providing such access through exterior wall12, refrigerant lines 14, drain line 15, and control line 16 may be runthrough hole 10 for extension between a set of air conditionercompressor and the condenser.

However, due to the relatively large size of hole 10, refrigerant lines14, drain line 15, and control line 16 passing therethrough fail tosubstantially fill hole 10, leaving hole 10 substantially unfilled oropen. This makes the inside of residential house or commercial building18 very vulnerable to infiltration of undesirable exterior elements suchas air, moisture, mold, bacteria, insects, rodents, and the like, fromthe outside. As will be recognized, this poses a significant problemsince the infiltration of air, moisture, mold, bacteria, insects,rodents, and the like, may damage the structural integrity and/or theaesthetic appearance of residential house or commercial building 18, andposes a substantial health risk to occupants.

In an attempt to alleviate this problem of an unsealed aperture intoresidential house or commercial building 18, a common practice in thefield has been to simply push rag or fabric matting 17 around the linesin an effort to fill or seal off hole 10. Alternatively, when brickveneer is included on residential house or commercial building 18, ithas been a common practice in the field to simply place additionalmortar around refrigerant lines 14, drain line 15, and control line 16in an effort to fill or seal off hole 10. As another alternative method,foam spray, caulk sealants, tar, or the like, may be used to fill orseal-off hole 10.

Additionally as background, an exterior wall mount flashing having aflush surface with one or more aperture(s) for receivingair-conditioning lines therethrough may be applied to an exterior wallof a building. Such flashing panel mount typically provides a pluralityof apertures adapted to receive a bundle of refrigerant and/orelectrical control lines of an air-conditioning system through a wall ofa residential or commercial building, so as to eliminate any access intothe building by unwanted intrusions such as water, rodents, or the like.

However, in view of the present line set box, the background set forthin FIG. 1 and the exterior wall mount flashing apparatus are deficientin many ways. Specifically, neither option provides a secure space inwhich to recoil the installed refrigerant, drain and control linesduring the remaining phases of construction, when unprotectedrefrigerant, drain and control lines are likely to be damaged or brokendue to exposure to hazards. If the refrigerant lines are damaged orbroken during final stages of construction, a considerable amount oftime and money is then required to repair the damaged or brokenrefrigerant, drain and control lines. If soldering is necessary torepair the damaged refrigerant lines, such soldering creates a risk offire to the structure, especially when combustible construction debrisis present at the construction site.

Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is a recognizable need fora line set box, and a method of use thereof, that functions to encloseand protect the end portions of the refrigerant, drain and control linesduring final phases of construction until such refrigerant, drain andcontrol lines are connected to the compressor of the central airconditioner system, and that provides a plurality of apertures havingsealing grommets adapted to receive a selected one of the refrigerant,drain and control lines to eliminate any unwanted infiltration such asair, water, mold, bacteria, rodents, insects, and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Briefly described in a preferred embodiment, the present apparatus,device, method and system overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantagesand meets the recognized need for such a device by providing a line setbox, and method of use thereof, comprising a generally rigid conduit boxhaving a removable front cover, wherein the conduit box includesknockouts with insertable sealing grommets enabling the sealed passageof conduits from inside a structure to outside the structure, and, thus,functions to house and protect the end portions of refrigerant lines,drain lines, and control lines during remaining phases of constructionuntil refrigerant lines, drain line, and control line are connected tothe compressor of the central air conditioner system located outside theresidential house or commercial building.

According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the present line setbox in its preferred form is a generally rigid box attached to thestructure between wall studs forming an exterior wall, a plurality ofdifferently-sized knockouts forming apertures having insertable sealinggrommet to allow the passage of one or more line(s) of a central airconditioner, such as a refrigerant line, a drain line, and a controlline, a removable front cover for securing the coiled end portions ofthe lines during remaining phases of construction, and a removable toecover enabling the passage of one or more line(s) of the central airconditioner from the box for permanent connection to the compressor ofthe central air conditioner system located outside the structure.

Accordingly, a feature of the present line set box is its ability toenclose and protect one or more line(s) of the central air conditionerfrom damage during remaining stages of construction of the structure.

Another feature and advantage of the present line set box is its abilityto create an enclosure in which the one or more line(s)may be coiledupon installation of the line(s) during the rough build phase ofconstruction, in which the line(s) may be protected through close-in ofthe structure, insulation and dry wall installation, exterior finishingand back filling around the foundation, when such lines are otherwiselikely to be damaged or broken off.

Still another feature and advantage of the present line set box is itsability to provide a plurality of apertures with sealing grommetsadapted to receive one or more line(s) of the central air-conditioningsystem through a wall of a residential or commercial building, in orderto eliminate unwanted infiltration of air, water, mold, bacteria,insects, rodents and/or the like.

Yet another feature and advantage of the present line set box is itsability to create a passageway for air conditioning lines/conduitsrunning from the outside compressor to the condenser located inside thehouse extending through a portion of an exterior wall of the building.

These and other features and advantages of the present line set box willbecome more apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art from thefollowing description and claims when read in light of the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present version of the line set box will be better understood byreading the Detailed Description of the Preferred and SelectedAlternative Embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawingfigures, in which like reference numerals denote similar structure andrefer to like elements throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior-art hole bored through anexterior wall with refrigerant lines, a drainage line, and a controlline exiting the residential or commercial building therethrough;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a rigid line set box having aremovable front cover and panel knockouts for enclosing and protectionone or more set(s) of lines of a central air-conditioning system;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the apertures of the lineset box shown in FIG. 2 and illustrating a plurality of sealing memberseach positioned around their respective apertures;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a line set box mounted between two studswith refrigerant lines, a drainage line and a control line coiled insidethe box panel according to a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a line set box mounted between two studswith refrigerant lines, drainage line and control line passing from aninterior of a building to the exterior according to an alternateembodiment;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a line set box with refrigerant lines,drainage line and control line passing from an interior of a building tothe exterior wherein the exterior is a wood or composite sidingaccording to an alternate embodiment; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a line set box panel with refrigerantlines, drainage line and the control line passing from an interior of abuilding to the exterior wherein the exterior is a brick or masonryveneer according to an alternate embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND SELECTED ALTERNATIVEEMBODIMENTS

In describing the preferred and selected alternative embodiments of thepresent line set box, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-7, specific terminologyis employed for the sake of clarity. The line set box is not, however,intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and itis to be understood that each specific element includes all technicalequivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similarfunction.

Referring now to FIG. 2, by way of example, and not limitation, there isillustrated a perspective view of line set box 200 in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present line set box. Preferably, line setbox 200 comprises a front panel 210 and rear housing 212, such rearhousing 212 having side walls 221 and 222, top wall 223, bottom wall224, and back wall 225 configured in the shape of a rectangular box. Itis contemplated that configurations other than a rectangular arecontemplated herein, including, without limitation a cubic, polygonal orother shape. Front panel 210 and rear housing 212, including side walls221 and 222, top wall 223, and bottom wall 224, each have rolled edges227 are preferably formed of a suitable material, such as sheet metal,plastic, rubber, wood, composite material, or the like, such as via astamping or molding procedure as commonly known in the art, and arecapable of providing structure to line set box 200. Preferably, thesuitable material includes other desirable characteristics, such as highdurability, water resistance, light weight, heat resistance, corrosionresistance, ease of workability, or other desirable characteristic, asunderstood by those ordinarily skilled in the art.

Front panel 210 is preferably formed as a removable protective accesscover, comprising cover 231 and toe section 241. Cover 231 preferablycomprises front 237, side walls 233 and 235, and top wall 239 arrangedin a rectangular box, each wall having edges 240. Side walls 233 and 235and top wall 239 of cover 231 preferably fit over rolled edges 227 ofrear housing 212 to releasably affix cover 231 of front panel 210 torear housing 212 forming a protective enclosure for refrigerant lines14, drain line 15, and control line 16. Preferably, front panel 210 isremovably affixed to rear housing 212, such as by a frictional fitbetween front panel 210 and rear housing 212.

It is contemplated in an alternate embodiment that edge 240 of frontpanel 210 may include an article retaining means, such as flange 242.Flange 242 may include first rolled member 244 and second rolled member246, preferably rolled, folded and pressed into edge 240 of side walls233, 235, and top wall 239 for receiving an unrolled edge 227 of sidewalls 221 and 222, top wall 223 of rear housing 212.

It is contemplated in still another alternate embodiment that frontpanel 210 may include pre-drilled holes 252, enabling cover 231 to beaffixed to rear housing 212 by fasteners 229 such as a metal screw,threaded screw, nut and bolt, clip or other fasteners known to thosehaving ordinary skill in the art.

It is contemplated in still another alternate embodiment that frontpanel 210 may be secured to rear housing 212 by any other suitablemeans, including, but not limited to, an alternate embodiment whereinside walls 221 and 222 include bent tab portions 217 and 219,respectively, which have holes 253 formed therein. Alternatively, benttabs may be provided on the top 223 and bottom 224 walls. Top wall 223may include bent tab portions 217 and 219 which cover the upper portionsof the side walls 221 and 222. Bottom wall 224 may likewise include benttab portions 217 and 219 covering the bottom portions of side walls 221and 222. Mechanical fasteners, press fittings, snap fittings, adhesivesand the like, may be utilized to affix front panel 210 to rear housing212. Fasteners 229 may be inserted through holes 252 in front panel 210and seated in holes 253 of the bent tab portions 217 and 219 of rearhousing 212.

It is contemplated herein that if toe section 241 were formed as aseparate piece from front panel 231, toe section 241 may have similarmeans for releasably affixing toe section 241 to rear housing 212 as setforth herein for cover 231 of front panel 210.

Top wall 223 of rear housing 212 preferably includes several knockouts262; however, knockouts 262 may optionally be located on side walls 211and 212, or back wall 225 of rear housing 212. Upon removing knockouts262 from rear housing 212, a plurality of apertures 310 may be formed,each adapted to accommodate a separate line of an air-conditioningsystem through a wall of a residential and/or commercial building. Byproviding multiple apertures, which closely fit and seal theirrespective air conditioning lines, drain line and/or control linesextending therethrough, the line set box 200 eliminates the need for asingle enlarged opening characteristic of conventional prior artinstallations. Eliminating such opening effectively prevents anyinfiltration of unwanted material from the outside environment, such asair, water, mold, bacteria, insects, rodents, or the like.

Before proceeding with the substantive explanations of the present lineset box, it is important to clarify certain terminologies used hereinfor the purpose of better understanding the present line set box. First,the term “residential building” used throughout this section should notbe construed narrowly, but rather broadly to mean any type of facilitywhich is intended for residential purposes. Examples of such facilitiesinclude, but are not limited to, residential houses, apartments,condominiums, cabins, trailer homes, and the like. Furthermore, the term“commercial building” should also be interpreted broadly to include anyfacility that is intended for purposes other than for residence such ashotels, motels, retail stores, office buildings, factory buildings, andthe like.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is a cross-sectional view of apertures310 of the line set box 200, shown in FIG. 2, and illustrating aplurality of sealing members 320, each positioned around a respectiveaperture 310, according to a preferred embodiment of the present lineset box. Preferably, apertures 310 are formed through top wall 223 ofrear housing 212, and are specifically adapted to accommodate arespective selected one of refrigerant lines 14, drain line 15, andcontrol line 16 therethrough. Each aperture 310 provides a pathwaythrough which one of refrigerant lines 14, drain line 15, and controlline 16 may extend through top wall 223 of rear housing 212.

Although not by way of limitation, the number of apertures 310 providedis preferably identical to the number of refrigerant lines 14, drainlines 15, and control lines 16 of an associated air-conditioning system,and each is preferably adapted to accommodate a selected line of theair-conditioning system through wall 12 of residential or commercialbuilding 18. In this respect, four panel apertures 310 are preferablyincluded to accommodate one each of refrigerant lines 14, drain line 15,and control line 16 if an associated air-conditioning system has asingle compressor located outside residential or commercial building 18and a single evaporator located inside residential or commercialbuilding 18. If additional lines are included with the associatedair-conditioning system, then a corresponding number of additionalapertures 310 are preferably included, corresponding in dimension to arespective one of the additional lines.

Each of apertures 310 is preferably sized to closely fit the diametersize of a respective one, or more, refrigerant line 14, drain line 15,and/or control line 16. Thus, apertures 310 intended to receiverefrigerant lines 14 may be larger in size than another aperture 310intended to receive a control line 16. Such sizing of each aperture 310preferably significantly reduces any spacing between an aperture 310 anda respective refrigerant lines 14, drain line 15, and/or control line16. This preferably reduces access from the outside environment forunwanted material, such as air, water, mold, bacteria, insects, rodents,or the like.

Moreover, each aperture 310 preferably includes a respective sealingmember 320 therein to ensure an adequate seal for the respectiveaperture 310, while allowing the respective refrigerant line 14, drainline 15, and/or control line 16 to pass therethrough. Each sealingmember 320 is preferably formed as a grommet which may be positionedaround edging 330 of aperture 310. More specifically, each of thegrommets has a groove 340 which captures edging 330 of a respectiveaperture 310, so as to fixedly engage aperture 310. Preferably, thegrommets are each fabricated from an elastomeric material, such asrubber, so as to protect the structural integrity of both apertureedging 330 and a refrigerant line 14, a drain line 15, and/or a controlline 16 passing therethrough. Each sealing member 320, such as agrommet, preferably substantially completely prevents infiltration of anunwanted material from an outside environment, such as air, water, mold,bacteria, insects, rodents, or the like, into the inside of residentialand/or commercial building 18.

Alternatively, it should be recognized that top wall 223 of rear housing212 may be formed of a stretchable sheet or membrane. Such sheet ormembrane may be fabricated from various types of stretchable material.One type of such material is an elastomeric material, such as rubber. Insuch an alternative embodiment, slits or holes may be created directlythrough top wall 223 simulating apertures 310, and, upon stretching ofsuch slits or holes, one of refrigerant lines 14, drain line 15, and/orcontrol line 16 may be passed therethrough, thereby reducing the risk ofinfiltration of an unwanted material, such as air, water, mold,bacteria, insects, rodents, or the like, into residential and/orcommercial building 18. Such slits or holes may be formed by simplycutting top wall 223 with a cutting tool, or by any other similar toolor procedure, thereby eliminating the need for sealing member 320.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a perspective view of lineset box 200 mounted between two studs 420, 422, with refrigerant lines14, drainage line 15 and the control line 16 coiled inside the box panelaccording to a preferred embodiment of the present line set box.Preferably, line set box 200 is positioned within exterior wall 12 ofresidential house or commercial building 18 of a size and dimensioncapable of accommodating line set box 200. More particularly, side walls221 and 222 of rear housing 212 preferably directly abut framing studs420 and 422 of exterior wall 12 of residential house or commercialbuilding 18, such that fasteners 229, such as nails, screws, or thelike, may be used for attachment of line set box 200 to framing studs420 and 422. Preferably, line set box 200 is mounted in the selectedexterior section of residential house or commercial building 18 in amanner such that front panel 210 faces an exterior or outside ofresidential house or commercial building 18, and such that front panel210 is flush with, or extends partially beyond, exterior wall 12,whether exteriorly clad with wood, vinyl, or other composite siding, asshown in FIG. 6, or whether exteriorly clad with brick or brick veneer,as shown in FIG. 7. Rear housing 212 is preferably positioned withinexterior wall 12 of residential house or commercial building 18. Uponcompletion of the installation of line set box 200 and finishing ofexterior wall 12, a weatherproof junction is preferably made betweenrear housing 212 of line set box 200 by inserting a silicone exteriorcalk into the gap between edge 227 of rear housing 212 and exterior wall12 reducing the amount of access from the outside environment such asair, water, insects, rodents or the like from gaining access to theinside of the residential and/or commercial building 18.

In a preferred embodiment of the present line set box, refrigerant lines14, drain line 15, and control line 16 are each inserted through arespective aperture 310 formed through top wall 223 of rear housing 212so as to extend into rear housing 212, wherein refrigerant lines 14,drain line 15, and control line 16 may be coiled, or otherwise stored,within rear housing 212. Moreover, affixing cover 231 and toe section241 of front panel 210 on rear housing 212 preferably protects the endportions of refrigerant lines 14, drain line 15, and control line 16during final phases of construction, such as during the rough buildphase of the construction, the close-in of the structure, the insulationand dry wall installation, and the exterior finishing and back fillingaround the foundation, when such refrigerant lines 14, drain line 15,and control line 16 are likely to be damaged or broken off if not soprotected within line set box 200. Such protection preferably avoids aconsiderable amount of wasted time and money associated with repair ofdamaged or broken end portions of one or more line(s). In addition, suchprotection preferably avoids the fire hazard presented by solderingrequired to attach extension pieces to one or more refrigerant line 14when broken, especially when combustible construction debris is presentat the construction site. Thus, protective access cover 210, comprisingfront cover 231 and a removable toe section 241 preferably provides anexteriorly-accessible opening to rear housing 212 for accessingrefrigerant lines 14, drain line 15, and control line 16, such as duringinspection, maintenance, and/or repair thereof.

Still further, toe section 241 of front panel 210 preferably acts as abumper or buffer when machinery or personnel are operating in thevicinity of line set box 200, wherein toe section 241 extends outwardfrom exterior wall 12 of residential house or commercial building 18,thereby barricading line set box 10 and further protecting therefrigerant lines 14, drain line 15, and control line 16 containedtherein during the rough build phase construction of residential and/orcommercial building 18.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is illustrated a perspective view of lineset box 200 mounted between studs 420, 422, with refrigerant lines 14,drainage line 15, and control line 16 passing from an interior ofbuilding 18 to the exterior thereof according to an alternate embodimentof the present line set box. Refrigerant lines 14, drain line 15, andcontrol line 16 are extended fully through line set box 200 exiting suchbox to the exterior of building 18 via opening 510 of toe section 241 offront panel 210. Once outside, refrigerant lines 14, drain line 15, andcontrol line 16 are uncoiled or elongated to the compressor of the airconditioning unit located outside residential and/or commercial building18 and connected to the compressor of such central air conditionersystem.

The compressor of the central air conditioner is typically placed on aconcrete pad located outside residential and/or commercial building 18.Such compressor is connected to the condenser located inside the houseby refrigerant lines 14, drain line 15, and control line 16 which extendthrough exterior wall 12 of residential and/or commercial building 18via line set box 200. More specifically, two refrigerant lines(typically copper lines for supplying/delivering a compressedrefrigerant gas), a drain line (typically PVC pipe) and a control line(electrical line for selectively activating the compressor and fan ofthe air conditioning system) extend between the outside-locatedcompressor and the inside-located condenser of the forced-air heatingand cooling system and extend therefrom via line set box 10.

The foregoing description and drawings comprise illustrative embodimentsof the present line set box. Having thus described exemplary embodimentsof the present line set box, it should be noted by those ordinarilyskilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, andthat various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may bemade within the scope of the present line set box. Many modificationsand other embodiments of the line set box will come to mind to oneordinarily skilled in the art to which this line set box pertains havingthe benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions andthe associated drawings. Although specific terms may be employed herein,they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not forpurposes of limitation. Accordingly, the present line set box is notlimited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein, but is limitedonly by the following claims.

1. A line set box for protecting a plurality of air-conditioning linesof an air-conditioning unit located about an exterior of a buildingduring construction, the line set box comprising: a generally rigid rearhousing attachable to the building; a plurality of apertures formedthrough a wall of said rear housing and being configured to receive theair-conditioning lines therethrough, each aperture being sized andconfigured to accommodate a respective one of the air-conditioninglines; and, a front panel removably affixed to said rear housing,wherein said front panel further comprises a cover and a toe section,wherein engagement of said front panel with said rear housing creates anenclosure in which one or more air-conditioning line may be protectedduring construction of the building.
 2. The line set box of claim 1,wherein the building is a residential building.
 3. The line set box ofclaim 1, wherein the building is a commercial building.
 4. The line setbox of claim 1, wherein said box is attachable to the building viafasteners.
 5. The line set box of claim 1, wherein said rear housing andsaid front panel are each fabricated from a plastic material.
 6. Theline set box of claim 1, wherein said rear housing and said front panelare each fabricated from a metallic material.
 7. The line set box ofclaim 1, wherein said wall of said rear housing is fabricated from anelastomeric material.
 8. The line set box of claim 1, wherein said toesection extends from said cover to create a bumper.
 9. The line set boxof claim 8, wherein said toe section further comprises an opening,wherein said opening enables passage of the air-conditioning lines fromwithin said line set box to an air-conditioning unit.
 10. The line setbox of claim 8, wherein said rear housing is attachable to the buildingin a manner that said front panel faces an exterior of the building. 11.The line set box of claim 1, wherein each said aperture comprises asealing member for forming a seal around each said aperture and the airconditioning lines, and when the air conditioning lines are accommodatedthrough said apertures an interior of the building is sealed from anyexterior elements.
 12. The line set box of claim 1, wherein each of saidsealing members is a grommet.
 13. The line set box of claim 1, furthercomprising a means for releasably retaining said front panel to saidrear housing.
 14. A method for protecting a plurality ofair-conditioning lines of an air-conditioning unit located about anexterior of a building during construction, comprising the steps of:obtaining a line set box comprising a generally rigid rear housinghaving a wall and a front panel removably affixed to said rear housing,wherein said front panel comprises a cover and a toe section; forming aplurality of apertures through said wall of said rear housing, eachaperture being sized and configured to accommodate a respective one ofthe air-conditioning lines; disposing each said air-conditioning linethrough a respective aperture; coiling said air conditioning lineswithin said rear housing; and, covering said rear housing with saidfront panel to protect the air conditioning lines while the building isunder construction.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising thestep of attaching said rear housing to the building via fasteners. 16.The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of sealing saidapertures by placing a sealing member around each said aperture and theair conditioning lines, and when the air conditioning lines areaccommodated through said apertures an interior of the building issealed from any exterior elements.
 17. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising the step of elongating the air conditioning lines from withinsaid line set box for connection to the air conditioning unit.